Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a deadly human cancer with a overall 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Better preventive and treatment strategies are desperately needed for this disease. Unlike most other solid malignancies, PDA is surprisingly homogeneous genetically. The great majority (>90%) of human PDA contain a unique genetic signature: they have activating mutations of the Kras proto-oncogene. The critical role of Kras activation in the development of this malignancy is supported by studies showing that mice expressing an activated Kras mutant in pancreatic cells develop the full spectrum of premalignant and malignant tumors commonly found in pancreatic cancer patients. This proposal addresses an important research question with high translational value: does downregulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) p110? prevent the development or block the progression of pancreatic cancer induced by oncogenic Kras? Aim 1 uses molecular and cellular studies to gain mechanistic insight into how PI3K p110? regulates and is regulated by Kras. Results from these experiments will increase our knowledge regarding how to treat all Kras-induced cancers.
Aim 2 uses genetic ablation of PI3K p110? in a mouse model of PDA induced by Kras and p53 mutations to test if p110a is a viable therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.
Aim 3 uses a pharmacological approach to investigate if chemical inhibition of PI3K prevents is a safe approach to prevent the development of PDA in the Kras induced tumors. Results from this study have obvious clinical implications for the testing of existing PI3K inhibitors and for the development of novel compounds in this class. Successful completion of our animal studies should lead to investigation of natural and synthetic PI3K inhibitors as a chemopreventive intervention for pancreatic cancer in humans.

Public Health Relevance

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a deadly human cancer with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Better preventive and treatment strategies are desperately needed for this disease that kills ~33,000 Americans a year, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer death. This project is directed at understanding the importance of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) biochemical pathway in mediating pancreatic tumor formation. Successful completion of our studies should lead to investigation of PI3K inhibitors as preventive interventions for pancreatic cancer in humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA136754-05
Application #
8527499
Study Section
Chemo/Dietary Prevention Study Section (CDP)
Program Officer
Ross, Sharon A
Project Start
2009-08-01
Project End
2014-05-31
Budget Start
2013-06-01
Budget End
2014-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$295,122
Indirect Cost
$105,923
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
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Delgiorno, Kathleen E; Hall, Jason C; Takeuchi, Kenneth K et al. (2014) Identification and manipulation of biliary metaplasia in pancreatic tumors. Gastroenterology 146:233-44.e5
Nelson, Victoria L B; Jiang, Ya-Ping; Dickman, Kathleen G et al. (2014) Adipose tissue insulin resistance due to loss of PI3K p110? leads to decreased energy expenditure and obesity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 306:E1205-16
Dou, Zhixun; Pan, Ji-An; Dbouk, Hashem A et al. (2013) Class IA PI3K p110? subunit promotes autophagy through Rab5 small GTPase in response to growth factor limitation. Mol Cell 50:29-42

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